Explaining Cloud Enablement and its Benefits for Small Businesses

A decade or so go, business owners used to set aside a significant portion of their investment for building robust IT infrastructure to support the business operations. After successive innovations, the cloud came into the picture and changed the way organizations deploy and deliver applications. Many organizations have either successfully migrated to a cloud based model or on the verge of adopting one. Amidst the race to minimize IT expenditure, the cloud has emerged as a powerful business solution. Many businesses, however, are yet to make the transition to the cloud as they are yet to realize its full potential. To help, the blog post discusses in detail about cloud enablement services for small businesses.

Notable aspects of cloud enablement for small businesses –

What is Cloud Enablement

Cloud enablement is defined as a process wherein an organization shifts from the traditional approach of building and maintaining in-house IT infrastructure. Whether it’s an Operating System or a set of business applications, everything is delivered through remote servers managed by a vendor or a third party services provider.

Terms You Must Know

1. Cloud Enabler

A cloud enabler can be defined as any IT firm that builds the backbone of a cloud computing environment such as developing hardware, software, storage, and networking components. Typical examples include Microsoft and Amazon.

2. Cloud Services

Cloud services are a set of IT services that an organization accesses through the internet. The service can be anything from an application or software that eliminates the need for in-house IT infrastructure. A Cloud services provider manages the several aspects of cloud services ranging from deployment to maintenance. In broad terms, cloud services can be offered as:

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Infrastructure as a Service(IaaS)

Platform as a Service(PaaS)

3. Cloud Provider

Cloud providers, in general terms, are the distributors of cloud technology that allows a client organization to utilize resources in the cloud based on monthly or annual subscription plans. A typical cloud provider can offer virtual servers, virtual machines and storage depending on the demand and needs of the client organization.

4. Private Cloud

In layman terms, a private cloud is specifically built to cater the needs of a single organization as the cloud hosts applications exclusive to an organization.

5. Public Cloud

In a public cloud model, a cloud service provider hosts applications that pertain to different organizations. In other words, it’s a shared service model that is less costly than a public cloud.

6. Hybrid Cloud

Simply put, a hybrid cloud combines the features of a public cloud and a private cloud.

Advantages of Cloud Enablement

On the access to any application on any device across the organization

Streamlines business operations

Reduced dependency on in-house IT teams

Decreases IT overheads of any organization by minimizing spends on cumbersome maintenance and troubleshooting activities

Reduces business downtimes

Improves core focus on the business rather than managing IT assets

Helps in implementing a robust business continuity

Wrapping Up

Though cloud enablement promises significant benefits to any organization, it’s impossible to tap the full cloud potential overnight. Transitioning to the cloud requires planning more than a few aspects to ensure it doesn’t impact your business operations. If you are considering cloud migration for your small business but are skeptical of the road ahead, i2k2 Networks can help. We have a team of IT experts and architects, leveraging years of domain experience in cloud deployment and maintenance. To learn more about our cloud enablement services, fill out our contact form. You can also call us at +91-120-466 3031.